Mr. Joe Lewis Pierce

Joe Lewis Pierce was born 1 September 1938 in Atmore, Alabama. He died at home in Atmore on 8 May 2023, after a prolonged illness. He was the ninth of eleven children born to Joe Pierce Sr. and Carlee Rabb Pierce. Joe was married to Doratha Rodgers on 12 July 1963 in Finchburg, Alabama. Joe and Doratha met at a church revival meeting for several churches. They have two children. The oldest is Rachel Meek, a Lieutenant Colonel, US Air Force (Retired). Rachel is married to Jay Meek. The youngest is Isaac Pierce, a Lieutenant Colonel, US Army. Isaac is married to Christi Shelton and they have a daughter named Rachel. Joe’s family of eleven children included: Madgalene (1925-2013); Zedia (1928-1981); Jim (1930-2017); Sallie Mae (1932-1933 Twin ); Annie Mae (1932-1933 Twin); Chester (1933-2019); Solomon (Living); George (1937-2014); Marie (1940-2023); Gladys (Living). Joe is the grandson of George Byron Pierce and Florida Reed from Old Texas in Monroe County, Alabama. His paternal great-grandmother is Lucinda Pierce and great-grandfather is James Madison Ward from Monroe County, Alabama. Joe was a farmer all his life and never had any desire to do anything else. He was an extremely hard worker. He rarely traveled far from home for any reason. Through the years he planted cotton, hay, soybeans, peanuts, corn—all staples of this area of south Alabama. He raised pigs for a few years but eventually gave that up. He raised cattle all his life and kept a small herd into his retirement years. He was well-known for planting an oversized garden which he shared with many neighbors and friends. Joe was happiest when he was working around his barn, on his tractor, checking his cattle, or driving his little truck endlessly in the vicinity of his house and fields. Everything else occurred between these tasks. Joe drove so slowly he was affectionately called Slow Joe by his family. Joe worked for the county conservation office for a few years while he farmed. He was on the board of directors for the Freemanville Water Board. Joe was once featured in Progressive Farmer Magazine in the 1980’s for being the first in the county to incorporate a new water management terracing system into his fields. Joe liked to talk about family history stories passed down from his ancestors, especially the most outrageous ones. His choice of music remained constant. He preferred Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Roy Acuff, and other old country music favorites of that timeframe. When Joe was 18 years old in 1956, he participated in a song writing contest that he heard about on the radio. He dictated the song lyrics to his mother and she mailed his entry for the contest. The contest administrators responded with a request for money for the official entry. Unfortunately, Joe didn’t have the money for the entry fee. Joe’s cousin, Jim David Montgomery, later heard the song on the radio and recognized it as a song Joe often sang while working. That song was Perry Como’s “Catch A Falling Star” which was recorded and released in late 1957. This song was the first single to receive a Recording Industry Association of America gold record certification on March 14, 1958. Joe was a peculiar man. He liked to talk about visiting certain places but he didn’t actually like to travel. He had no tolerance for lazy people and their detriment to society. He wasn’t shy about making his views known to anyone who would listen. Joe was a member of Mount Gillead Missionary Baptist Church. He leaves many nieces, nephews, and cousins to mourn his loss. Special thanks to his nephew, Marlon Montgomery, who took him on several fishing trips to a local catfish pond during his last few months. Thanks to Joe’s cousin and neighbor, Lois Smith, for all her support and encouragement during this difficult year. Joe’s friend, Theodis (Bo) Williams, visited him often and brightened his day while he was bedridden. Joe’s other friends and farm buddies include but are not limited to: Willy Dukes, Gilbert Walls, Charles Agee, Wayne Drew, and Tim VanRee, his faithful repair mechanic. Tim VanRee was “Mr. Fix-It” to Joe’s family. The Pierce family is extremely grateful for the loving care of his hospice nurse, Jennifer Haskew, and hospice aide, Bria Montgomery, and all the other hospice caregivers who attended Joe over the last year. Funeral services will be held Friday, May 19, 2023, at 12:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC. with Pastor, Gregory Sanders, and Rev. Earl Harrison officiating. Entombment will follow at Pierce-Montgomery- Rabb Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday, May 19, 2023 from 11:00 AM until service time at 12:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC. Pallbearers will be Theodis (Bo) Williams, Charles Montgomery, Mario Montgomery, Isaac Pierce, Steve Ross, and Jay Meek. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations to The Gentiva Foundation (Hospice) can be made in memory/honor of Joe Lewis Pierce, to The Gentiva Foundation 3350 Riverwood Parkway, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA. 30339. Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC. Atmore, AL. is in charge of all arrangements.

Mr. Joe Lewis Pierce

September 1, 1938 - May 8, 2023